Living Hope Church
26 Apr Sunday
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  • Sing Sing Sing
  • You Are Good
  • I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
  • Here In Your Presence
  • I Surrender
  • Nothing Else
  • Moving Forward
  • I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
  • Majesty
  • Majesty
  • Week 3: *On Mission to the Hurting*
    *Subtitle:* From Friendly Fire to Healing Community
    *Big Idea:* Christians often get hurt in the very place meant for care, but God redeems those wounds to form us—and the church becomes a place of healing when it reflects the heart of Christ. ---

    I. Christians Get Hurt by Other Christians

    “Friendly Fire Is Still Fire”
    Scriptures:
    - Matthew 26:31 – Jesus is abandoned by His own disciples
    Matthew 26:31 NKJV
    31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
    - Galatians 2:11–13 – Even leaders wound others
    Galatians 2:11–13 NKJV
    11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
    - Psalm 55:12–14 – “It is not an enemy who taunts me…”
    Psalm 55:12–14 NKJV
    12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. 13 But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.
    *Core Truth:* Some of our deepest wounds don’t come from the world—they come from the church; those we expect to be godly.
    *Why This Happens:* THESE ARE NOT EXCUSES FOR BAD BEHAVIOR
    - Christians are redeemed, not perfected
    - Expectations are higher in Christian relationships
    - Truth without love, or love without truth, causes damage
    - Pain is multiplied when trust is broken in spiritual spaces
    Sources of Hurt:
    I. Ignorance (Unintentional)
    II. Bad Doctrine (Ex: Paul)
    III. Pride/ Disobedience
    IV. Misunderstandings
    *Illustration: Friendly Fire*
    In battle, friendly fire isn’t intentional—but it’s still devastating. You might say:
    “Most church hurt isn’t malicious. It’s misdirected. But unintentional wounds still require real healing.”
    *Pastoral Clarification:*
    - Being hurt does not make someone weak
    - Being wounded by believers does not mean God failed
    - Jesus Himself experienced betrayal, denial, and abandonment
    Living Hope Approach:
    2 Timothy 4:2–3 NKJV
    2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

    II. God Redeems Our Hurt to Form Us

    “What Wounded You Can Also Shape You”
    Scriptures:
    - Romans 8:28 – God works through all things
    Romans 8:28 NKJV
    28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
    - James 1:2–4 – Trials produce maturity
    James 1:2–4 NKJV
    2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
    - 2 Corinthians 12:9 – Strength in weakness
    2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
    9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
    *Core Truth:* God never wastes pain—even pain caused by other Christians.
    *What God Forms Through Hurt:*
    - Deeper humility
    - Greater compassion
    - Stronger dependence on Christ
    - A clearer picture of grace
    *Biblical Example:*
    - *Joseph (Genesis 50:20)* – “You meant evil… God meant it for good”
    *Illustration: Physical Therapy*
    After injury:
    - Healing is intentional
    - Movement is slow
    - Pain has purpose
    You could say:
    “Formation often hurts—but it heals us in ways comfort never could.”
    *Mission Connection:*
    - Wounded believers become powerful ministers to wounded people
    - Our scars become bridges, not barriers

    III. The Church Is God’s Place for Healing, Not Hiding

    “A Judge‑Free Zone for Restoration”
    Scriptures:
    - Galatians 6:1–2 – Restore gently, carry burdens
    Galatians 6:1–2 NKJV
    1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
    - James 5:16 – Healing through confession and prayer
    James 5:16 NKJV
    16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
    - Ephesians 4:32 – Kindness, compassion, forgiveness
    Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
    32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
    *Core Truth:* The church doesn’t exist to deny pain—but to heal it by pointing each other to Jesus.
    *Gym Illustration (Healing Emphasis):*
    In a healthy gym:
    - Injured members aren’t shamed
    - Exercises are modified
    - Trainers protect from further injury
    - Healing happens in community
    *Church Parallel:*
    - Grace replaces performance
    - People heal at different paces
    - Mature believers help others regain strength safely
    You might say:
    “The church is not a showroom for the strong—it’s a recovery room for the hurting.”
    *Mission Application:*
    - Healing churches attract hurting people
    Be prepared to get hurt by hurting people
    - Safe churches restore broken believers
    Be ready to be restored and point others to Jesus for their restoration
    - Restored believers rejoin God’s mission
    Be confident that God has not left the Church
    Closing Pastoral Invitation
    Living Hope Church will:
    I. Be Humble (We all need a Savior)
    II. Submit to one another
    III. Communicate our hurts
    IV. Learn How to Be Sensitive
    V. Give Grace without Compromise
    You could close with this tone:
    “If you’ve been hurt by the church, Jesus has not rejected you. If you’ve been wounded by believers, you are not alone. God can redeem what hurt you. And the church—at its best—is where healing begins.”
    *Response Options:*
    - Prayer teams
    - Invitation to reconnect, not retreat
    - Permission to heal without pressure
    --- Series Flow Reminder
    - *Week 1:* Jesus meets those far from God
    - *Week 2:* Jesus grows new believers together
    - *Week 3:* Jesus heals the hurting
    - *Week 4:* Jesus sends the growing

      • Matthew 26:31NIV2011

      • Galatians 2:11–13NIV2011

      • Psalm 55:12–14NIV2011

      • 2 Timothy 4:2–3NIV2011

      • Romans 8:28NIV2011

      • James 1:2–4NIV2011

      • 2 Corinthians 12:9NIV2011

      • Galatians 6:1–2NIV2011

      • James 5:16NIV2011

      • Ephesians 4:32NIV2011

Living Hope Church
pastor@livinghopecogop.org
325-500-4763
http://livinghopecogop.org
4 members